State Senator Terry Brown of Columbus has started treatment after being diagnosed with cancer.

State Rep. Gary Chism, R-Columbus, a long-time colleague of Brown in the state legislature, said Brown was diagnosed with stage one cancer last week and has a neuroendocrine tumor on his left lung. Sources close to the senator said the cancer is also in his bones but doctors have determined it has not spread to his brain or his liver.

Chism said the cancer was discovered last week when Brown was having shortness of breath. Brown went to BMH-GT to seek treatment and underwent a chest X-ray where the cancer was then discovered, Chism said.

He began radiation and chemotherapy treatment at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle on Tuesday. He will undergo three treatments in a row every three weeks, for 18 weeks. His condition will be reevaluated after those treatments. Friends said the senator and his doctors are optimistic.

Brown, 63, is a lifelong resident of Columbus.

Brown, who ran unsuccessful for lieutenant governor in 1999, was elected President Pro Tempore of the Senate in 2012. In that capacity, he serves as presiding officer of the 52-member chamber when the lieutenant governor is away. Brown has served in the senate since 2003. He also served as a representative from 1988 to 2000.

He represents the 17th District, which is located entirely within Lowndes County.

The contents of this article have been modified since its original posting.

Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.